Mystery Book Reviews



Among The Hidden Simon and Schuster, 2000, 160pp., $5.99
Margarett Petterson Haddix ISBN 9780689824753

Can you imagine what you would do if were twelve years old and had never stepped foot outside of your house? The main character, Luke, has never met anyone outside of his family, never gone to school, never gone to play at a friends house, and he has pretty much never done anything but sit at home and read. No one else in the entire world knows that Luke even exists.
In Among The Hidden, society has overpopulated itself and the government has taken steps to ensure there is enough food for everyone. This means that families are only allowed to create two kids. Luke, known as a “shadow child” is the third child and must never be seen by anyone outside of his immediate family. One day Luke noticed a shadow through his neighbor’s window. But two kids had already left home for the day. He knew it had to be another third child.
I absolutely loved reading Among The Hidden because it’s very suspenseful and keeps you wondering throughout the whole book. I recommend this book to boys and girls of all ages. Margarett Petterson Haddix does a great job of writing this story through Luke’s point of view. I always knew what Luke was thinking and feeling. The suspense and adventure of this sizzling book will keep you reading until the last page.

-Megan

Trapped in Death Cave
By Bill Wallace
Simon & Schuster Children Publish 1984 pp.170
$4.99, ISBN 0-689-85341-6

Reviewed by Mark

Gary’s Grampa went out on his fishing on a beautiful morning. While he was fishing, a terrible accident happened to him and he died. Gary and his friend, Brian, find a secret treasure map on a note left by his Grampa. Gary and Brian think that his Grampa’s death wasn’t an accident, they think it was murder.
Will Gary and Brian find the lost gold? Or be able to find his Grampa’s killer? You will have to read this scary fictional thriller to find out. Every page is filled with excitement. You won’t be able to stop reading the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a great mystery story. I read this book because I like a good mystery. It was an easy read and there aren’t a lot of pages so it will go fast.


On the run published in New York, Dutton books, 2004
Michael Coleman Isbn 0-525-4318-1, 199p

On the run is an exciting story about a thief named Luke. On day as he is trying to steel a pair of shoes out of a truck he gets hit from behind the two people are notaries gangsters in those parts. Two get into the car and hot wire it. As there leaving they talk to Luke and the man who owns the truck comes running and starts chancing the truck. He saves the man’s daughter and is chanced down by the man. This book is really good I would suggest it to anybody. I would rate it a ten Out of a ten scale.

By saber


twilight.jpg







Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Little Brown and Company, © 2005
498 pages, $ 17.99, ISBN # 0-316-16017-2

Reviewed by Julie

When Isabella (Bella) Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington, she finds that she is the center of attention. But when sitting next to Edward Cullen, she gets the feeling that he dislikes her. Her feelings soon change when Edward saves her from an out of control van. Bella gets suspicious about Edward being unharmed by the van, and hears through an old tale that the Cullens are a family of vampires.
Bella and Edward fall in love with each other, and they go on their own adventures. Bella learns more about Edward, and Edward about Bella. But when an evil vampire comes to Forks, Bella is in grave danger, and when she sets off on her own, things only get worse…
This book is perfect for people who love action, mystery, and romance. Its many cliff- hangers make you want keep reading until you figure out the truth. After I read Twilight, I immediately read the rest of the series; New Moon and Eclipse. Stephanie Meyer does a great job telling the story from Bella’s point of view. She does a lot of foreshadowing throughout Bella’s adventure.

n27170.jpgn27170.jpgn27170.jpg
I Know What You Did Last Summer
By Lois Duncan, Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers,
199 pgs. $5.50, 1973, ISBN 0-440-22844-1,
Book Review by Julie

How would you react if you got a note saying they knew what you did last summer? Not too freaked out if you had a typical boring summer. But what if you caused a hit-and-run and killed a kid? That’s what happened to Barry, Helen, Julie, and Ray. And even though they made a pact never to talk about it again, someone has figured out what they did, and they’re no too happy about it.

At first, they took it as a joke; but when Barry got shot, it’s no joke at all. Meanwhile, when Ray gets back from California, Julie pays more attention to Ray than Collie, her boyfriend. And when Julie and Ray try to unmask the stalker, all fingers point to Collie, but it couldn’t be him, could it?
This is a fast paced book that is great for anyone who loves action and mystery. This book is a fast read, and isn’t dense at all. Its 199 pages almost turn themselves.

Pretty Little Liars
Sara Shepard
HarperCollins Publisher, 2006,
$16.99, ISBN 978-06-088732-2

Reviewed by Nicole

In a town where gossip clings to mansions and where mysteries lie in perfect manicured hedges are four perfect looking girls with not so perfect secrets. Emily, Spencer, Hanna, and Aria are best friends who had dark, juicy secrets. Three years after Ali’s- their best friend- mysterious disappearance, the four girls have been getting notes from a stalker who may have something to do with Ali’s disappearance.
This book will be the best book you’ve ever read. I’d highly recommend it especially to teen girls. If you love romance and mystery then you should put this on the top of your reading list. The author did such a wonderful job; she actually leaves you in suspense in this prequel of the Pretty Little Liars series.


The End
Lemony Snicket
Harper Collins Publishers, 2004, 324pp., $12.99,
ISBN-978-0-06-441016-8

“There were what looked like pieces of other boats-anchors and portholes, railings and masts, scattered every which way like broken toys.” (28) In this book the Baudelaire’s (three kids whose parents are dead, and are trying to be captured by Count Olaf) were on a boat out at sea when they got stranded on this island. There on the island they encounter many problems with the people they meet there, and if they don’t go by their rules, they’ll kick them off the island. They also must save one of their friends, Kit Snicket from dying, and must stop Count Olaf from spreading a disease that would kill every one on the island. They also find a chilling message wrote by their parents many years ago.
I was immediately drawn into this book, feeling as if I were there, because of its great dialogue and thoughts and feelings. It also contained a great helping of mystery and suspense. So if you like books with good dialogue and mystery I recommend this to you. But if you don’t read that type I would drop this book at once so The End doesn’t finish you.

- Travis



The Grim Grotto
Lemony Snicket
Harper Collins Publishers, 2004,323pp., $11.99
ISBN-0-06-441014-5

“Out of the sand quickly and silently were the stalks and caps of the Meusoid Mycelium. Each on a dark, gray color, with black splotches on the caps as if they were spattered with ink.” (137) These mushrooms were bad news for the Baudelaire’s, because this poisonous mushroom that is so deadly it can kill you in an hour, had trapped them.
In this book the Baudelaire must save sunny from the deadly mushroom, escape from Count Olaf, and many other problems. All while desperately searching for a special sugar bowl that they must get to overcome Count Olaf. Which they must dive to the bottom of the ocean to find.
I rate this book a 9 out of 10 because of its great dialogue mystery, suspense, and thoughts and feelings. So if you like mushrooms, a desperate search for something lost, mechanical monsters, great dialogue and mystery I recommend you to dive into the great depths of this book.

- Travis



The Carnivorous Carnival
Lemony Snicket
Harper Collins Publishers, 2002, 286 pp.,$11.99,
ISBN 0-06-441012-9


“It must be difficult, having two heads,” said Count Olaf (the evil guy trying to steal the Baudelaire orphans money) looking at the Baudelaire’s who were disguised as a two-headed freak. It was difficult, because for the next few days they had to stay in their disguise at the carnival, and they had to do every thing together. They had to eat together, walk together, and any thing else you would do. But they had an important reason. They were in disguise, because they were trying to find out critical information about their parents, who might be alive, even though they’re suppose to be dead.
Throughout the story it tells how the Baudelaire’s sneak their way around the carnival trying to find out about their parents while being faced with many problems. Including getting caught by Count Olaf, getting thrown into a pit of lions and any other crazy thing that could happen at a carnival.
I thought this was a great book because it has a lot of thoughts and feelings, which really makes you, want to keep reading and has lots of great dialogue. So if you like book with a great deal of mystery, suspense, and great dialogue I recommend all of the thirteen books and one hundred, sixty nine chapters to you.

- Travis
images.jpgimages.jpgholes.jpg
Holes Dell Yearling,1998,233pp,$6.29
Louis Sachar Isbn 0-440-414806

Stanley Yelnats is a juvenile delinquent, falsely accused of stealing a famous baseball player’s shoes. Then he is sent to a boys correctional center called Camp Green Lake. It’s real hot and in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a million holes. Stanley has to stay there and dig for eighteen months.
While Stanley is there he got a little curious about why they are digging holes for punishment. Mr.Sir says it’s to build character, but Stanley thinks they are looking for something. Then the warden came and told Stanley and the other guys to dig harder. She also said if they find something interesting they get the rest of the day off.
After a few days Zero got tired of Mr.Pendanceski picking on him, so he hit him with the shovel and ran away. Then one week later Stanley was worried about Zero so he ran away too. Will the boys find their way to safety or will they die trying.I would recommend this book to any one who likes reading about mystery and humor this.
-DOMINICK




Saving Zoe
By: Alyson
Published: 2004, 230 pgs.
$8.95, ISBN- 312-35510-6


Saving Zoë involves a quiet, fifteen year old girl, Echo. She receives the diary of her sister, Zoë. By reading it, Echo leads to events up to her sister’s death that died about a year ago. She has a rough time trying to find her way through the death of her sister, her feelings for her sister’s old boyfriend Marc and the worry of losing her best friends. Alyson really brings out the emotion in these characters, throughout this book I felt I was living through the murder of Zoë. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery throughout a book.
-Falon {:

kiki.jpeg

Kiki Strike- Inside the Shadow City
Kirsten Miller
Bloomsbury, 2006, 387
1-58234-960-6

Reviewed By Emily

Ananka Fishbein had one boring life that she thought would never end, that is until she meets Kiki Strike and discovers the Shadow City. Kiki Strike is awfully strange and says that when she grows up she wants to be dangerous. Ananka tries to balance out her school life, her life with the Irregulars and the Shadow City. But will the Irregulars fall apart when the map of the Shadow City falls into the wrong hands? Or will they risk everything to save New York City?
Kiki Strike- Inside the Shadow City is a very book full of suspense and evil princesses. This is one of my favorite books and I couldn’t wait to get my hand on the sequel. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

The Mystery of the Pirate’s Map
By: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Reviewed by: Jenny
Albert Whitman Company, 1999, 121 pgs, ISBN: 0-8075-5453-7.
“Hi, we are the boxcar children or you can just call me the Alden’s.” First of all there are four of us, there’s Henry, Violet, Jessie, and Benny. The Aldens lost their parents when they were very young. So, now they live with their grandfather.
While visiting Cherrystone, Harbor Benny finds this bottle in the sand. It doesn’t look like much until they open it; inside they find a pirate’s map that leads to treasure. Back then, the legendary pirate, John Finney, buried a chest near the harbor. Now, they’re trying to find it, but a bad guy is close to getting it!!
I think you should read this book because it’s full of mystery and TREASURE. I like this book because I love TREASURE AND PIRATE MAPS! If you love TREASURE and PIRATE’S MAPS than this book is for you!!
Warner is a great author and I think that you will feel a part of the Alden’s ADVENTURE if you read it!


kiki2.jpeg
The Empress’s Tomb
Kirsten Miller
Bloomssbury, 2007, 369 pgs
1-59990-047-5

Reviewed By Emily

Ananka Fishbein has been hiding something fom her parents and she won’t tell them so she has to face the consequences. But her adventure continues with Kiki Strike and the Irregulars in the Shadow City. Kike Strike has some secrets of her own and keeps missing the meetings so that leaves Ananka in charge. With mysterious squirrels painted all over New York City, Oona falling for her father Lester Liu’s dirty tricks, and no one knows where Kiki is. Can Ananka keep the Irregulars together?
The Empress’s Tomb is the excitement filled sequel to Kiki Strike- Inside the Shadow City. I loved every single minute of this book and I can’t wait until Kirsten Miller comes out with her third book.

The Blue Ghost
By: Marion Dane Bauer
Reviewed by: Jenny
Random House Children’s books, 2005, 86 pgs, and $11.95, ISBN: 0-375-83179-7.

“Elizabeth.” All of a sudden Liz stood straight up cause she heard a strange noise! “ Who’s there?” Liz said. Some sort of whisper awakens Liz. Then she sees a blue light, its shape is a person. Liz has no clue who that person is, but she thinks it may be her ancestor. The strange thing about it is the blue ghost hovers over a chest. So Liz tries to find out if this ghost needs her help or something. No one knows.
I think you should read this book because it’s full of mystery and ghosts. When I read this book I thought what does this ghost want? Who is she? I like this book because I like to read about solving mysteries.
Bauer is a great author and I think you will like it if you just like it if you just try it out too. You’ll learn that ghosts will tell you everything if you learn from the past. I think you will like this book.